在汉英翻译中可进行各种词类的转换,例如： 汉语动词转换成英语名词、形容词、介词；汉语形容词或副词转换成英语名词；汉语名词转换成英语动词等等。其中，汉语动词转换成英语抽象名词尤为普遍。高校常用的翻译教材，如张培基、吕瑞昌、冯庆华等编撰的翻译教材均将这种转换列在第一位。请看以下各例：

例1． 中国政府承诺不对无核国家使用核武器。

如不注意词性转换，译文可能是：
The Chinese government undertakes not to use (that it will not use) nuclear weapons against non-nuclear countries.
这种译文显得有些口语化，不够庄重。不如改用抽象名词non-use:
The Chinese government undertakes non-use of nuclear weapons against non-nuclear countries.

例2． 禁止任何叛国、分裂国家、煽动叛乱及窃取国家机密的行为。

译文一：To prohibit any act of treason, acts to split the country, incite rebellion and steal secrets.
译文二：To prohibit any act of treason, secession, sedition and theft of state secrets.

以上译文一使用 split , incite, steal 等动词虽然语义正确，但似乎不够庄重。译文二使用抽象名词，因而显得文字严谨，适合正式法律条文的风格。

例3． 技术引进合同应当订明下列事项：引进技术的保密义务，改进技术的归属和分享。

译文一：Provisions on the obligation to keep confidential the imported technology, and ownership of the right to copy any improvements made to the technology.
译文二：Provisions on the confidentiality obligation as regards the imported technology, and ownership of the right to copy any improvements made to the technology.

对于"保密"这一动作译文一使用相应的动词 keeping confidential，显得过于口语化。译文二转用英语抽象名词confidentiality，在法律文件中显得较为得体。

例4． 这次十三届八中全会开得好。

译文一：The recent Eighth Plenary Session of the Thirteen Central Committee was a successful meeting.
译文二：The recent Eighth Plenary Session of the 13th CPC Central Committee was a success.

会"开得好"很少有人直译为动词 was well conducted。
以上译文一使用具体名词 a successful meeting 比较常见；译文二则将其浓缩为一个名词 success，更为简练。